Zahava Englard is author of “The Gilboa Iris” published by Gefen and “Settling for More: From Jersey to Judea” published by Devora. Her favorite quote is: “If it’s not controversial, why bother?” (Yes, the quote is her own.) She is a mother of four grown kids, with two of her sons having proudly served in IDF combat.
“There is no prescription. It’s a secret recipe”, says Delcamara, the quack doctor who sells his “magic love potion” to lovesick Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, a delightful opera recently performed in the outdoor theater at Sultan’s Pool during the Jerusalem Opera Festival.
Delcamara is no doubt a conman and his love elixir is no more than red wine. Indeed, the only evidence of a secret recipe lies with the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, in his enigmatic talent to carry out his vision to transform the city into the multicultural capital of the world.
In just a handful of years, since he became mayor of Jerusalem in 2008, Nir Barkat succeeded in blowing new life into this ancient city, a city with its sun drenched stone that stands majestically as the heart of our land. It is the spiritual core of our nation that draws her people to her walls and it is now more alive than ever.
One senses a new energy and sees a unique initiative toward a positive revolution for the creative meshing of the old with the new.
The electricity is not only in the air, it’s on high voltage.
There’s constant movement and dynamic innovation. How amazing is it for the holy city of Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the world to take its place as the international hub of cosmopolitan life.
At any given day, at any given time, people are out heading to an array of activities, be they cultural, educational or professional, topping it all off with a bustling night life.
As diverse as the population so is the range of possibilities from business prospects to recreation and entertainment, and of course, spiritual pursuits. And certainly, I would be remiss if I neglected to mention Jerusalem Hapoel’s historic basketball win this past Thursday night! Woohoo!
Last night – at the opera performed by an all-star lineup of international singers, the Israeli Opera Chorus and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, where the music lifted one’s spirits to a different world in a different time and today, I’m heading to the Old City on the Kotel Choo Choo!
Tonight? Dinner at Racha, steps away from the Russian compound, where the term “experience” surges to a crescendo of delectable pleasure amidst an old world Georgian ambience and whose proprietors engage you as if you are a long lost relative. It’s a place with live music that is stirring and downright intoxicating. And, oh so romantic.
Sure. Tel Aviv has the beach. But Jerusalem…Oh, Jerusalem!
